Macklemore may have battled with drug an alcohol addiction since the age of 15, but he’s now drawn from his own experiences to help others – including the likes of Demi Lovato. At his gig in Mansfield, Mass, the 35-year-old reached out to his ‘sister’ Demi and dedicated his song Otherside to the singer. He then went on to talk about his own battle, and revealed to the crowd that he wouldn’t be where he was today without getting sober. The rapper said: ‘I do that song because if it wasn’t for my sobriety and my recovery, I wouldn’t be on this stage here tonight. ‘And I just want to send prayers and my thoughts and love out to Demi Lovato. I heard about that, and when we have this disease of addiction, that ties us addicts together and that’s my sister in recovery.’
He added: ‘I know what it’s like to slip. I know what it’s like to relapse. I’ve done it many, many times. That song is dedicated to her and anyone else going through it right now.’ The 25-year-old pop star had celebrated six years of sobriety in March but sadly relapsed just last week. It was reported the star was found unconscious in her home before being rushed to hospital over an alleged drug overdose. As celebrities rallied around the singer, TMZ has since reported the singer was awake. According to reps: ‘Demi is awake and with her family who want to express thanks to everyone for the love, prayers and support.’
They added: ‘Some of the information being reported is incorrect and they respectfully ask for privacy …’ Demi has fought substance abuse for years and has spoken about seeking treatment in the past, celebrating six years of sobriety in March after battling cocaine and Oxycontin addiction. Her relapse comes after the star released her new track Sober just last month, where she confessed she had broken her sobriety. Days before she was hospitalised Demi had spoken about her ‘pride’ in latest song as she tweeted: ‘Never been more proud of a song in my life..’ She also said in a more personal message: ‘You make mistakes too.’
Demi Lovato’s close friend and former boyfriend Wilmer Valderrama has reportedly been a constant presence by her side in the hospital. A source told The Blast that Demi is ‘doing very well.’ ‘Wilmer is one of the only people who has been around her, besides her mum.’ As TMZ previously reported, the 25-year-old was taken to hospital last week following a suspected drug overdose. Since then it has been reported that the Sober singer will be returning to rehab for drug abuse treatment once she is discharged.
Valderrama and Lovato remained close friends since their split in 2016, and the singer previously referred to him as the love of her life. Following his visit to the medical facility, a source told People: ‘He knew she was going through a tough time but he wasn’t prepared for this. He saw her through so many ups and downs and was her rock through some of her darkest moments. To see her back in such a sad and vulnerable place is heart-breaking for him. The insider added Wilmer, 38, has ‘always cared deeply for her and they truly remained friends after they broke up.
And the Sober singer’s backup dancer, Dani Vitale, has broken her silence on the news, explaining she wasn’t with the 25-year-old when she was taken for treatment. In a statement shared on her Instagram page, she told her 103k followers: ‘I care about Demi just like all of you do. I have not said anything about this situation until now because her recovery has been of the most importance.